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Scanning the Skies: The Discovery Channel Telescope

Size really matters in the competitive world of astronomy. To capture sharp images of objects millions of light years away requires big thinking, so Lowell Observatory in Arizona has spent $53 million and taken eight years to assemble the 10,000 moving parts of a new telescope. Discovery can be forgiven for tooting its own trumpet, having shelled out a third of the cost of the “DCT”, and tells the gulp-inducing story of its construction with superb clarity. The 4.3m-wide primary mirror alone took seven years to make, and had to be moved 2,700 miles. It’s a huge tale in which microscopic things can scupper an entire project.

About this programme

A look at the construction and science behind the Discovery Channel telescope, featuring expert interviews.